Washington, DC –American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Geoff Freeman released the following statement today after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver penned an op-ed on sports betting in the New York Times:

“Legal, regulated sports betting protects the integrity of casino games and the consumers who partake in them. In some cases, sports books in Nevada have even notified the FBI of unusual betting activity on sporting events that have led to convictions on match fixing. In the coming months, the AGA will be working to identify the size and scope of illegal gambling in the United States and what can be done to address the issue at a federal and state level. The gaming industry is committed to thwarting illegal gambling wherever it occurs, and we look forward to partnering with the NBA and others who share this goal.”